Paper match book assembly

ABSTRACT

A match book assembly having a cover forming packets of match sticks, each of which is provided with a separate igniting means to insure proper ignition of a match when it is struck by being withdrawn from the packet. The packets are permanently closed to prevent accidental ignition of the unused matches as a match is being lit. The match sticks are formed by cuts through a paper board so that the heads of the match sticks are surrounded by the paper board sheet. Preferably, the match sticks are arranged in a plurality of groups, each group being separated from an adjacent group by a space in the paper board which is relatively wider than the space which separates each of the match sticks within a group. In addition, a side of each of the match sticks is defined in the paper board by misaligned, overlapping cuts through the paper board sheet. The length of the cut defining the head portion of the match stick is preferably less than the length of the cut defining the tail portion of the match stick, so that the strip between the cuts is disposed nearer to the head of the match stick than to the end opposite the head.

Unite States Patent Liu et al..

[ 1 June 27, 1972 [54] PAPER MATCH BOOK ASSEMBLY [72] Inventors:Jul-Chang Liu, Taipei; Tang Chan, Nan Tu Sein, both of Taiwan [73]Assignees: Lin-Huey Chang; Ya-Ya Hung, Taipei,

Taiwan 22 Filed: Oct. 8, 1970 21 Appl.No.: 79 ,146

521 vs. Cl ..206/29, 206/34 [5 1] int. Cl. ..A24g 27/12, A24g 27/20 [58]Field of Search ..206/29, 34, 48.5

[56] Relerences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,907,313 5/1933 Arana..206/34 2,012,781 8/1935 Young ..206/29 Primary Examiner-William T.Dixson, Jr. Attorney-Lane, Aitken, Dunner & Ziems [5 7] ABSTRACT A matchbook assembly having a cover forming packets of match sticks, each ofwhich is provided with a separate igniting means to insure properignition of a match when it is struck by being withdrawn from thepacket. The packets are permanently closed to prevent accidentalignition of the unused matches as a match is being lit. The match sticksare formed by cuts through a paper board so that the heads of the matchsticks are surrounded by the paper board sheet. Preferably, the matchsticks are arranged in a plurality of groups, each group being separatedfrom an adjacent group by a space in the paper board which is relativelywider than the space which separates each of the match sticks within agroup. In addition, a side of each of the match sticks is defined in thepaper board by misaligned, overlapping cuts through the paper boardsheet. The length of the cut defining the head portion of the matchstick is preferably less than the length of the cut defining the tailportion of the match stick, so that the strip between the cuts isdisposed nearer to the head of the match stick than to the end oppositethe head.

6 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures P'ATENTEnauuzv I972 JUl-CHANG LIU 8 TENGCHAN d 0mg MW PAPER MATCH BOOK ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thisinvention relates to match books. More particularly, this inventionrelates to an improved match book wherein each match is lit on aseparate igniter strip as it is withdrawn from the match book. Stillmore particularly, this invention relates to a paper match book assemblywhich includes match sticks defined by cuts in a paper board sheetwherein the match sticks are preferably arranged in a plurality ofspaced groups, and wherein a cut defining the head portion of the matchstick is shorter than a cut defining the tail portion of the stick, sothat an intermediate strip between the cuts is located nearer to thehead of the match.

In conventional book type paper matches, a plurality of rows of matchsticks are stapled together at their lower ends within a cardboardfolder. The end of the folder to which the matches are stapled includesan igniter strip formed of an abrasive chemical upon which a match isstruck for lighting. The other end of the folder is folded around thematches and fits under the abrasive strip to form a removable cover.

With this type of match book, a match stick is torn from one of the rowsof matches and the tip of the match is struck on the abrasive strip tolight the match. As a safety measure, it is necessary that the cover beclosed before the match is struck.

One disadvantage of this type-of match book is that the abrasive stripmust be used repetitively until the entire book is used. As the surfaceof the strip is worn away, it becomes increasingly difiicult to lightone of the matches and often the match must be struck several timesbefore it is lit, if at all.

A significant disadvantage to the general type of match book describedabove is the possibility that it may constitute a safety hazard when thecover is not closed before the match is struck, since resulting sparksmay ignite the remainder of the matches within the book and perhaps burnthe hand of the holder.

Am improved paper match book assembly which overcomes these problems isdescribed in US. Pat. application Ser. No. 751,302, filed May 17, 1968,now U.S. Pat. No. 3,536,188, issued Oct. 27, 1970 to the same inventors.This invention is a further improvement over the invention theredescribed and includes a number of distinguishing and significantfeatures, as will be apparent from this specification.

Accordingly, it is an overall object of this invention to pro vide animproved paper match book assembly.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved match bookassembly in which a paper board sheet defines a plurality of matchsticks formed therein by cuts through the sheet.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide a paper matchbook assembly which includes a paper board sheet defining a plurality ofmatch sticks wherein the sticks are grouped so that a space between thegroups of matches is greater than the space between adjacent matcheswithin a group.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide a paper matchbook assembly wherein matches are defined by cuts in a paper board sheetso that the length of the cut defining the head of the match is lessthan the length of the cut defining the tail portion of the match sothat the strip between the cuts is located nearer to the head of thematch than to the end opposite the head.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent from thereview of the accompanying written description of the invention, takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Directed to overcoming the deficienciesof the prior art, and achieving the aims and the objects stated above,this invention relates to an improved paper match book assembly of thetype which comprises a paper board sheet having a plurality of matchsticks formed therein by cuts through the paper board sheets. The matchsticks formed in the paper board sheet are grouped into a plurality ofgroups so that the space between adjacent groups of match sticks isgreater than the space between adjacent matches within a group. Thisfeature has the substantial advantage of providing a structural rigidityto the match book assembly to provide a reliable and eficient operationin striking each and every match in the assembly.

One side of the match stick is defined by the length of the cut in thepaper board sheet while the other side of each of the match sticks isdefined in the sheet by misaligned, overlapping cuts through the paperboard sheet which respectively define the head portion and the tailportion of the match stick. The length of the cut defining the headportion of the sheet is preferably less than the length of the cutdefining the tail portion so that the intermediate strip between thecuts lies nearer to the head of the match stick than to the tail.

The match bock assembly according to the invention provides an unusedportion of an igniter strip for each match to insure lighting of thematch as it is withdrawn from the match book. The invention alsocontemplates maintaining the match tips completely enclosed within thematch book cover until each match is used. Thus, exposure of the matchesto sparks which might cause accidental lighting is eliminated, anddamage to the ignition portion of the match due to moisture is reduced.Thus, the match book assembly of the invention provides an improvedigniting means which insures ignition of a match upon the igniter stripand also a separate igniting means for each match stick.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a view in perspective of thepreferred embodiment of the paper match book assembly according to theinvention; and

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the paper board sheet of FIG. 1, illustratingthe grouping of the match sticks in the assembly and the arrangements ofthe cuts which define each match.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As may be seen in FIG. 1, theimproved paper match book assembly according to the invention isdesignated generally by the reference numeral 10. The assembly 10 ismanufactured from a cardboard strip 12 having the ends 14 folded over toform two packets 16 of matches. The sheet 12 is bent at about theportion 18 which acts as a hinge so that the packets 16 will overlieeach other in the general shape of a booklet.

Each packet 16 includes a plurality of match sticks 20 which are definedby cuts or slits in a paper board sheet 22. The surrounding portion 23of the sheet 22 and its extension portion defined by the wider spacersdesignated by the reference numeral 24 are secured to the strip 12 byany suitable means, such as by an adhesive.

A plurality of spacers, designated generally by the reference numerals24 and 25, are provided between the match sticks 20 by the portions ofthe paper board left between the match sticks 20 after they are cut. Thespacers 24 are relatively wider than the spacers 25 for reasons whichwill be discussed hereafter.

The entire profile of each of the match sticks 20 is cut entirelythrough the board 22, except for the small connector 26 located betweenthe head portion 28 and the tail portion 30 of each of the match sticks,and nearer to the head portion 28 thereof. The connectors 26 operate tosecure each of the match sticks to the paper board to retain the sticksin place in the assembly. The connectors 26 are formed by two misalignedcuts in the match stick profile as shown in FIG. 2. The portion of theboard 22 surrounding the tail portion 30 of the match sticks 20 is cutaway so that the tail portions 30 extend beyond the edge of thesurrounding portion 23 of the sheet 22' and out of the packet 16. Thus,a user can grasp the tail end 30 of the match stick for purposes ofwithdrawing it from the packet 16.

The matchbook assembly disclosed in FIGS. 1 and 2 of this inventiondiffers from the match book assembly of the applicants shown inapplication Ser. No. 751,302, referred to above, in at east two majorrespects. First, the cutting of the match sticks formed in the paperboard 22 is different from that of the earlier application in that thespaces between the matches are both wide and narrow. Thus, a pluralityof match sticks 20 define a group of match sticks and the separationbetween adjacent groups of sticks is generally greater than theseparations between the match sticks in any one group. Secondly, thelocation of the connector is located nearer the upper portion of each ofthe match sticks.

Thus, each packet 16 contains a plurality of match sticks 20 which aredivided at least into two groups by the relatively wide spacers 24extending from the upper portion of the surrounding portion 23 of thepaper board 22 and to assure that the match sticks will be more easilyignited when withdrawn from the packet. in addition, the structuralintegrity of the overall assembly is significantly improved.

As is specifically shown in FIG. 2, the match sticks 20 are divided intothree groups designated generally by the reference numerals 32, 33, and34 respectively. The left-hand portion of each of the match sticks ingroup 32 is defined by a pair of misaligned cuts on the left-handportion of each of the sticks, while in group 34, the right-hand edge ofeach of the match sticks is defined by the misaligned cuts. In group 33,located between groups 32 and 34, one-half of the two misaligned cutsare located on the left-side of the matches, while the other half of thematches have their right-hand portions defined by the misaligned cuts.In this manner, the narrow spacers 25 are located between each matchstick 20; the wider spacers 24 are located between the groups of matchsticks; and the small connectors 26 are arranged so that the ends ofeach match stick extend beyond the edge of the remainder of the paperboard sheet 22 and out of the packet 16. Moreover, the match stick hasits maximum width near the tail portion 30 thereof, so that the tailportion 30 of each match stick are positioned substantially on a side byside basis. When the paper board is fastened to the folder by anadhesive material, the small connectors defined in the paper board bythe misaligned, parallel, overlapping cuts are covered by an end 14 ofthe strip 12 so that the appearance of the packet is attractive andaesthetically pleasing.

The inner portion of the folded-over edge 14 of the strip 12 formingeach packet 16 is provided with an igniter band made from an abrasivechemical material suitable for igniting the phosphor heads 42 which formthe ends of the match sticks 20 when the heads 42 are rubbed across theband 40. A second igniter band 44 of the same material as the firstigniter band is also provided mounted on a strip inside the packet 16opposite the first igniter band, so as to sandwich the match sticks 18and the board 22 between them.

When withdrawing a match stick from one of the packets by grasping itsexposed edge and pulling outwardly, the connector 26 is torn to releasethe match from the packet and to permit the match head 42 to rub overboth igniter bands 40 and 44, causing simultaneous abrasion of bothsides of the match head, thus reliably insuring ignition of the match.Since each of the match sticks are spaced from one another, only oneportion of each of the igniter bands is available to ignite anindividual match head. Consequently, each match stick is provided withan unused section of the igniter bands to facilitate ignition of thematch.

Because each packet is an integral packet which is never opened, theunused match head 42 is covered during the time the match stick 20 isstruck, and there is no chance of the remainder of the match sticksbeing accidentally ignited. Thus a significant advantage of theinvention is to provide for improved safety. It will be appreciated thatthe above description of the embodiments are illustrative only andnumerous modifications and variations may be made in light of the aboveteachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of theappended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than isspecifically described herein.

What is claimed is: 1. A paper match book assembly comprising: a paperboard sheet having a plurality of match sticks formed therein by cutsthrough said paper board sheet wherein portions of said paper boardsheet separate the head of said match sticks and a portion of the stickportion of said match sticks, a plurality of said match sticks defininga group of said match sticks and wherein said assembly defines at leasta pair of said groups, the spacing between the head portions of adjacentmatches in any one group being less than the spacing between adjacentgroups, a portion of said paper board sheet being cut away leaving theend of said stick portion opposite said head portion apart from saidpaperboard sheet and extending therefrom, one side of the stick portionof each of said sticks being defined in said paper board by misaligned,overlapping cuts through said paper board sheet thereby to provide athin strip of paper board interconnecting said match sticks with theremainder of said paper board sheet; I 1 a coverforming an enclosureenclosing at least a portion of said paper board sheet containing saidheads of said match sticks, and an igniter band mounted on said cover ina manner so that as each of said match sticks is withdrawn from saidcover by pulling a match stick by the end opposite the head of suchmatch stick the head of such match stick rubs against said igniter band,each match stick rubbing against a different portion of said igniterband upon being withdrawn from said cover, said igniter band being of amaterial to ignite said match heads when rubbed thereby. 2. The papermatch book assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said matchesis defined by a plurality of cuts in said paper board sheet, one side ofeach of said matches being defined by a cut having a first length andthe other side of said match being defined by a first slit and a secondslit, said first slit being misaligned with respect to said second slitto define said thin strip, said thin strip being disposed nearer to thehead of said match stick than to the end of the said match stickopposite said head. i

3. The paper match book assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein theleft edge of each'of the match sticks in one group is defined by a cutof said first length and the right edge of each of the match sticks inanother group is defined by a cut of said first length.

4. The paper match book assembly as set forth in claim 3 furtherincluding an intermediate group of match sticks located between said onegroup and said another group and spaced therefrom, each of the leftedges of some of the match sticks in said intermediate group beingdefined by a cut of said first length, and each of the right edges ofthe remainder of the match sticks in said intermediate group beingdefined by a cut of said first length.

5. A paper match book assembly comprising:

a paper board sheet having a plurality of match sticks formed therein bycuts through said paper board sheet wherein portions of said paper boardsheet separate the head of said match sticks and a portion of the stickportion of said match sticks, a portion of said paper board sheet beingcut away leaving the end of said stick portion opposite said headportion apart from said paper board sheet and extending therefrom, oneside of the stick portion of each of said sticks being defined in saidpaper 1 board by misaligned, overlapping cuts through said paper boardsheet thereby to provide a thin strip of paper board interconnectingsaid match sticks with the remainder of said paper board sheet, saidthin strip being disposed nearer to the head of said match stick than tothe end of the said match stick opposite said head,

a cover forming an enclosure enclosing at least a portion of said paperboard sheet containing said heads of said match sticks, and

an igniter band mounted on said cover in a manner so that as each ofsaid match sticks is withdrawn from said cover by pulling a match stickby the end opposite the head of such match stick the head of such matchstick rubs against said igniter band, each match stick rubbing against adifierent portion of said igniter band upon being withdrawn from saidcover, said igniter band being of a material to ignite said match headswhen rubbed thereby.

1. A paper match book assembly comprising: a paper board sheet having aplurality of match sticks formed therein by cuts through said paperboard sheet wherein portions of said paper board sheet separate the headof said match sticks and a portion of the stick portion of said matchsticks, a plurality of said match sticks defining a group of said matchsticks and wherein said assembly defines at least a pair of said groups,the spacing between the head portions of adjacent matches in any onegroup being less than the spacing between adjacent groups, a portion ofsaid paper board sheet being cut away leaving the end of said stickportion opposite said head portion apart from said paper board sheet andextending therefrom, one side of the stick portion of each of saidsticks being defined in said paper board by misaligned, overlapping cutsthrough said paper board sheet thereby to provide a thin strip of paperboard interconnecting said match sticks with the remainder of said paperboard sheet; a cover forming an enclosure enclosing at least a portionof said paper board sheet containing said heads of said match sticks,and an igniter band mounted on said cover in a manner so that as each ofsaid match sticks is withdrawn from said cover by pulling a match stickby the end opposite the head of such match stick the head of such matchstick rubs against said igniter band, each match stick rubbing against adifferent portion of said igniter band upon being withdrawn from saidcover, said igniter band being of a material to ignite said match headswhen rubbed thereby.
 2. The paper match book assembly as set forth inclaim 1 wherein each of said matches is defined by a plurality of cutsin said paper board sheet, one side of each of said matches beingdefined by a cut having a first length and the other side of said matchbeing defined by a first slit and a second slit, said first slit beingmisaligned with respect to said second slit to define said thin strip,said thin strip being disposed nearer to the head of said match stickthan to the End of the said match stick opposite said head.
 3. The papermatch book assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein the left edge ofeach of the match sticks in one group is defined by a cut of said firstlength and the right edge of each of the match sticks in another groupis defined by a cut of said first length.
 4. The paper match bookassembly as set forth in claim 3 further including an intermediate groupof match sticks located between said one group and said another groupand spaced therefrom, each of the left edges of some of the match sticksin said intermediate group being defined by a cut of said first length,and each of the right edges of the remainder of the match sticks in saidintermediate group being defined by a cut of said first length.
 5. Apaper match book assembly comprising: a paper board sheet having aplurality of match sticks formed therein by cuts through said paperboard sheet wherein portions of said paper board sheet separate the headof said match sticks and a portion of the stick portion of said matchsticks, a portion of said paper board sheet being cut away leaving theend of said stick portion opposite said head portion apart from saidpaper board sheet and extending therefrom, one side of the stick portionof each of said sticks being defined in said paper board by misaligned,overlapping cuts through said paper board sheet thereby to provide athin strip of paper board interconnecting said match sticks with theremainder of said paper board sheet, said thin strip being disposednearer to the head of said match stick than to the end of the said matchstick opposite said head, a cover forming an enclosure enclosing atleast a portion of said paper board sheet containing said heads of saidmatch sticks, and an igniter band mounted on said cover in a manner sothat as each of said match sticks is withdrawn from said cover bypulling a match stick by the end opposite the head of such match stickthe head of such match stick rubs against said igniter band, each matchstick rubbing against a different portion of said igniter band uponbeing withdrawn from said cover, said igniter band being of a materialto ignite said match heads when rubbed thereby.
 6. The paper match bookassembly as set forth in claim 1 further including means for mountingsaid paper board sheet within said enclosure said mounting meansincluding an adhesive applied to one surface of the portion of saidsheet which surrounds the heads of said match sticks and to one surfaceof an extension portion of said sheet which defines the wider spacingbetween adjacent groups of sticks.